This chapter introduces micro-sociological lenses to the study of international meetings showing how a micro-sociological study can produce insights into the workings and dynamics of concrete, inter-bodily interaction in international meetings. The chapter analyzes micro-sociological dynamics of rapprochement, conflict, domination, and low-intensity interaction in international meetings and dives into specific cases of international meetings, including in the UNSC, the EU, and bilateral meetings. The chapter further discusses and exemplifies the micro-sociological significance of gender; that is, how macro-political structures of male domination are manifested in concrete situations as well as how female diplomats often have a larger room for maneuver. The meetings analyzed in the chapter raise critical questions about frontstage/backstage aspects of international encounters, micro-sociality versus performativity, as well as the interplay between in-meeting dynamics and structural conditions/effects of the meetings. The discussion of these questions in the chapter will illustrate the complex nature of micro-dynamics in international meetings.

From the mid-1970s onward, the Soviet Union’s refusal to allow Jews to emigrate became a key human rights issues in East-West diplomacy. Chapter 4 investigates efforts by the Reagan administration, members of Congress, and NGOs to support Soviet Jewish emigration as a fundamental human right during the 1980s. The chapter traces the role of human rights and Jewish emigration in the administration’s foreign policy before summarizing the extensive actions both liberal and conservative members of Congress undertook in support of Soviet Jews. The chapter demonstrates how the administration and a large bipartisan coalition in Congress formed a generally cooperative relationship despite some strategic disagreements. Certain members of Congress urged stronger public criticism of the Soviet Union and a linkage between progress on Jewish emigration and economic and security issues. The chapter argues that members of Congress contributed to keeping Jewish emigration on the political agenda and increased the political costs for Reagan should he fail to deliver on the issue. It also demonstrates that Reagan used congressional concern for Jewish emigration as leverage in negotiations with the Soviets. The chapter concludes that the issue of Jewish emigration facilitated a continued institutionalization of human rights concerns in US foreign policy.